Big brother, little sister

Kiera is becoming more and more interactive, and Cael loves it! He likes it when she "tickles" him by touching his arm during her spontaneous movements! He likes to make her smile, and when she cries, he sings his ABC's to her...and she usually listens!

Cael likes to help wash Kiera's knees and toes in the bathtub

Yes, those are angel wings on her back...don't be fooled!
She lets us know when she isn't happy about something!

Bears vs Packers

We truly do have a split house when it comes to football...ok, so the kids went along with us grown-ups!

Not sure why Kiera was crying...the Packers were winning!

We went to my co-workers house (who is another Bears/Packers split family) for the big game. They have a daughter, Grace, who will be 4 in April...she led Cael around all afternoon!!

I guess this sums up the result of the game...

Kiera's baptism

We were blessed to be able to celebrate the sacrament of baptism for Kiera. It was a perfect way to end the weekend!

Attempt #1 at the family picture.

Attempt #2.

Thanks, Molly and Jarod, for taking on the responsibility of Godparents!!Cael exhausted following church and the baptism

Attempt #3 at the family photo.

Kiera wore the same baptism gown that Gramma Debbie had worn
Cael beginning to feel better. Not sure if he was trying to imitate Grandpa Jim Ryan or not...

We are blessed to have so many family and friends who love these kids so much! Thanks for making the weekend one to remember!

Cael's birthday party

Cael's birthday party turned into a "Thomas" themed party...Cael was thrilled! We were surprised in that Jordan and Erin with Flynn and Fletcher were able to make it for most of the day!! Cael and Flynn were both excited! Family and friends were able to be here and celebrate with Cael...he is blessed to have so many who care so much about him!!

Not so healthy

So, after a great report at the doctor last week, the next day, Cael came home from daycare and developed a fever, which turned into a magnificent cold! Kiera has a mild version, and Jonathan and I are bracing ourselves! Not a good weekend to get sick, but Cael was a trooper and went through all the festivities without a lot of complaint (as long as mommy was close by and could hold him at ANY moment). Here are a few recent pictures of the kiddos.

Playing with a few new toys from Christmas

Didn't realize it was a toga-kind of a day! Cael was trying to get his shirt off, I believe.

Cael still LOVES to hold his little sister!
Tries to eat her hand at any chance she can!

One happy little girl (most of the time)!

2 healthy kids!

We went to the doctor today for Kiera's 2 month and Cael's 2 year check up! Both kids are doing great!

Cael is up to 31 lb and is 34 inches long. The part that made us kind of laugh to ourselves was the fact that Cael's head circumference is in the 95%-ile! Caels' ears checked out perfect (thankfully), in fact, the left tube had fallen out of the ear drum (it was still in his ear), and the ear drum was all healed up! Cael was confused when I only put in an ear plug into the right ear tonight for his shower (yes, shower...Cael lately has preferred showers over bath)

Kiera is definitely growing, but not as quickly as Cael did at 2 months. Kiera weighs 11 lb 8 oz, and is 22.75 inches long. She did not care for the shots too much...or at all! Fortunately Cael didn't need shots at this appointment, so Jonathan took Cael to the waiting room for Kiera's shots...I think Cael would have cried just as much as Kiera! He is a protective big brother!

Toddler bed

We are in day 6 of Cael being in the toddler bed, and so far so good. We sit with him at night until he goes to sleep...to make sure he stays in bed (or his room for that matter)...this time is getting shorter and shorter. Nap time is, well, becoming non-existent. I try to get him down during the day, but we spend all afternoon attempting...maybe he will go back to naps when he gets used to the bed. He doesn't do too bad without a nap, but is just ready to go to bed at 7 pm.

Now to get them both to sleep in the room...will be a new challenge I am sure!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Cael!

The morning of Cael's birthday, we said "Happy birthday, Cael", and he responded, "cake?" Well, not for breakfast, but he did eventually get his cake! We went out to eat at Applebee's (one of Cael's new favorite words), where he was able to eat Mac N Cheese, applesauce, drink chocolate milk, and eat a sundae...wow...what a treat! (At least Cael thought so)

We went down the street to a new find...an indoor park! Edinborough Park is an indoor playground...needless to say we bought a 10-punch pass so we will be able to go often! There are tunnels, slides, climbing gyms, bouncing houses, a gym with scooters and balls...a 2 year old dream! We could have spent hours, but limited it to 2 hours, since it was already 8:00 and we needed to get home.

Kiera even enjoyed the evening...sleeping the majority of it!!

Christmas to New Years

The kids and I were fortunate to be able to stay in Waukon for the week between Christmas and New Years. We were able to stay a few days at each Grandparents house...the kids are lucky to have them both in the same town!!

The Fossey's (Sara was my roommate at Central) traveled to Waukon to visit us and meet Kiera! It was great for us to finally meet their daughter Reagan as well!! It was great to catch up, share kids stories, and let the kids play for a while! They got along well, and hopefully it won't be 2 years before we see them again!! It is our turn to visit them in the Quad Cities!!


We also spent a day in La Crosse with Gramma and Grampa Rixen and went to the Children's Museum. Cael loved to explore! The new exhibit was dinosaurs...Cael's new favorite word!
We had a fantastic week in Waukon! Thanks to the grandparents for the hospitality and help with the kiddos! Cael continues to ask for Grandma and "Boppa"!